"Newcrest Resources, Inc. (Newcrest) proposes to conduct mineral exploration activities on public lands administered by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko Field Office, The proposed action, the Tuscarora Exploration project, is described in the proposed Tuscarora Exploration Plan of Operations Amendment and Reclamation Plan Permit Application dated December 1996 ... The purpose for the proposed Tuscarora Exploration Project is to define the nature and extent, shape, and economic value of precious metal-bearing deposits within the Tuscarora Exploration Project area. The proposed drilling operations are needed to evaluate the potential for future mine development"--Leaves 1-1, 1-4.